Spatter plate



1931- J. F. PRITCHARD 3 SPATTER PLATE Filed Oct. 25, 1928 INVEN TOR. wmf/P/rfmaxd A TTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOHN F. PRITCHARD, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI SPATTER ILATE Application filed October 25, 1928. Serial No. 314,945.

My invention relates to water distributing devices and more particularly to nozzle mem-v bers such as spatter plates for attachment to supply pipes, for example for distributing water to cooling towers and the like, the principal object of the invention being to assure the breaking up of a jet of water for dispersing the same.

In ordinary spatter plate structure, a central hole is provided in the plate and the plate is assumed to be supported with the axis of the central hole in the axis of the supply pipe, and much of the water moves in the thin fiat sheet over the periphery of the plate. The 1 late frequently is not accurately positioned however, so that the expected amount does not pass through the central opening, and disproportionate amounts movein relatively cry of the late.

Further objects of my invention therefore are to promote the passage of the water through the plate whether the plate is centered on the supply pipe or not, to spread the streams of water that pass through the plate, to break up and thoroughly disperse the streams of water that touch the plate and to prevent the flow of water over the edge of the plate in a continuous sheet.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a spatter plate constructed in accordance with my invention and mounted on the end of a supply 1pc. V P Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the plate and mounting means and adjacent portion of the end of the supply pipe.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device from beneath.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the device including a plan view of the plate.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a supply pipe which may be one of the pipes for delivering water by gravit Y to a cooling tower and to which a collar "7 2 1s screw-threadedly attached for supporting a spatter plate 3, the late being attached to the collar by arcuate Bars 4.

The plate is preferably supported in spaced relation with the supply pipe with its axis in the extended axis of the supply pipe, so that a relatively small hole 5 in the center of the plate may be in" the axis of the supply pipe. It is extremely difficult however to assure the coaxial relation of the plate and pipe and my device aspresently described, is adapted for eflicient functioning when the plate is supportedat an angular position with reference to the end of a supply pipe.

The plate is preferably a disk and may be of any suitable contour, bein illustrated as a flat metal body of substantia lyequal thickness throughout. 1 Preferably arranged in a circularly disposed series concentric with the hole 5, are openings 6 substantially larger than the central opening for passage through the plate of portions of the spreading stream of water delivered to the upper surface of the plate from the supply pipe. The openingsfi and 6 preferably'have' cylindrical'walls 7 and tapering mouths 8, the openings 6 being formed on axes inclined to the plane of the plate and preferably converging upwardly, whereby waterfrom the supply pipe enteringthe. openings will be diverted outwardly upon passage through the plate.

A plurality of spuds or bosses 9 are provided on the upper surface of the plate and preferably arranged in a plurality of circular series concentric with the central opening 5, the spuds of one series being staggered with reference to the spuds of another series :anda sufficient number being provided to battle and divert a stream of water moving radially from the centralportion of the plate toward the periphery thereof. v

The spuds have convex and preferably semi-globular upper-surfaces, so that water impmging on one of them at any point will be broken up and scattered in several directions.

In using the device a jet of water moving against the plate, for example by gravity, will be thoroughlybroken up and dispersed. A small portion, of the water will pass through the central hole and other portions including the annular portion of the spreading column from the supply pipe will pass through the openings of the circular series, the beveled upper edges of the openings both facilitating the entrance of water to the openings and providing walls for breaking up and spreading the water, and dispersing it in spray.

Other portions of the jet will strike the surface of the plate and be broken up, and tend to flow from the plate. The flowing stream will be obstructed by the spuds and agitated by the falling water so that tendency to flow in a thin sheet over the periphery of the plate will be obviated.

Portions of the jet which impinge on the V spuds will be diverted into many directions and broken up into spray.

Should the plate be supported in a plane angular to a cross section of the jet and the jet assured to be discharged vertically downward, the water will still be effectively spread and sprayed, much of it being diverted and splashed from the more elevated portion of the plate, substantial amounts passing through the openings and relatively small amounts flowing from the lower edge of the plate. The small amounts that do flow will be broken up. The device will therefore function efficiently in any position.

Should the plate be mounted accurately with its axis in the axis of the supply pipe and strong wind tend to divert the jet from the central hole, the series of openings and the spuds will continue to function to spread the water.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spatter plate having a circularly disposed series of openings, a circularly disposed series of semi-globular spaced bosses on the surface of the plate encircling the series of openings.

2. A spatter plate comprising a plate having a series of tapering openings arranged concentrically of the plate and a plurality of series of semi-globular circumferentially spaced bosses arranged concentrically of the plate exteriorly of the openings.

8. In a spatter plate device of the character described including a collar for attachment to a supply pipe and arms for spacing a plate from the collar and supporting the plate, a plate ext-ending across the axis of the pipe having tapering openings and a plurality of series ofbosses on its inner surface arranged exteriorly to the openings in receiving relation with the pipe, the bosses of one series being arranged in staggered relation to the bosses of the adjacent series.

4. In combination with a supply pipe, a spatter plate supported by the pipe and spaced from the outlet end thereof, having a relatively small constantly open axial open ing substantially on the extended axis of the pipe, and a series of relatively large openings adjacent said axial opening, and a plurality of semi-globular bosses on the plate between said openings and the periphery of the plate, said bosses being spaced radially and laterally to provide tortuous channels for liquid moving from the central area of the plate toward the rim thereof.

5. A spatter plate of the character described, having an axial opening to directly pass a portion of a stream of water discharged on the plate, and having a series of cylindrical openings formed with beveled edges to provide tapering months for passing other portions of the water, and spuds covering. the outer area of the plate to prevent the water not discharged through said openings from discharging in sheet form off the periphery of the plate.

. 6. A spatter plate comprising a collar for attachment to a liquid supply pipe, arms extending downwardly and outwardly of the collar, a circular plate carried between the ends of the arms in axial alignment with the collar, and having a central discharge opening for passing a portion of liquid discharged against the plate and having a circumferential series of openings for passing other portions of the liquid, 'said last named openings having axes converging toward the axis of the collar to cause the last named portions of the liquid to be discharged in divergin streams below the plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. JOHN F. PRITCHARD. 

